Canada: Banking
Deemed to have one the most efficient and safest banking systems in the world, Canada managed to avoid the worst effects of the global financial crisis. Our research identifies 31 experts in this field who will be instrumental in the continuing robustness of the national market.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP stands out for the strength of its practice with six of its partners listed. The “excellent” Michael Harquail leads the firm’s financial services group and has extensive experience in structuring and documenting domestic and cross-border financing transactions. John Teolis, a specialist in matters involving financial institutions, has acted as counsel to several Canadian and international entities that have established a financial presence in the country. Norm Saibil is “very impressive” and recently acted for an international banking syndicate in a US$1 billion financing for Canadian National Railway Company. The “exceptional” David Zacks QC has represented borrowers and lenders both nationally and internationally. Senior counsel and former firm chairman James Christie is “one of the most esteemed financing lawyers in the country” and is renowned for his expertise in all aspects of bank regulation. Michael McIntosh is “first rate” and has been lead counsel in connection with the establishment of syndicated credit facilities for Husky Energy, Canadian Oil Sands Limited and TransAlta Corporation.
Four lawyers from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP are listed, including the “outstanding” Carol Pennycook. Hailed as an “authority”, she has acted as counsel to borrowers, arrangers and banking syndicates in project financings. Jay Swartz is praised for his “sophisticated practice” and focuses on debt financings, financial product development, structured finance and private equity funds. Scott Hyman’s specialties include derivatives, secured lending, project finance and structured finance. A “highly regarded” lawyer, he has acted for Postmedia Network, Rogers Communications and Agnico-Eagle Mines. Toronto-based Derek Vesey is “top-notch” and his clients include Maple Group Acquisition Corporation and Citibank International.
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP fields three lawyers in this chapter. The “brilliant” Jonathan Levin focuses on corporate finance, restructurings and securities and is a greatly respected name in the market. Chair of the business law section for the firm’s Ontario region, Brian Wright is a known name for representing financial institutions. John Torrey has been involved in financings for mines, casinos and hotels.
A trio of names feature from McCarthy Tétrault LLP. The “formidable” Barry Ryan is “an incredibly talented lawyer” according to peers and leads the firm’s national financial services group. Michel Deschamps is “one of Montreal’s leading names” and is singled out for his expertise in loan syndications, secured transactions and structured finance. Robert Metcalfe also ranks highly and has been involved in financings for lenders to Air Canada and Bowater.
McMillan LLP earns three listings, including the “talented” David Thring. Along with his work on secured lending, project finance and restructurings, Thring is renowned for his knowledge of environmental and energy matters. Andrew Kent is also highly regarded as is Peter A Willis who focuses on project finance, securitisations and asset-based lending.
Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s “excellent” Michael Matheson is noted for his work in syndicated loan transactions, takeover bid financings and workouts. He has acted as counsel to Equinox Minerals, Kinross Gold Corporation and Walter Energy. He is joined by Peter Milligan, who chairs the banking and financial services practice group.
At Stikeman Elliott LLP Toronto-based Peter Hamilton is a leading name in corporate finance and in Vancouver, Michael Allen is “first rate”.
Peter Murphy of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP is regarded as an “industry expert” and has over 31 years of experience acting for domestic and foreign financial institution clients. Kenneth Atlas from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is the National Leader of the firm’s Financial Services Group and is credited for his “strong background in corporate restructuring”. The “superb” Jean Anderson from Goodmans LLP is praised for financing and regulatory issues and, from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Martin Fingerhut is “top tier”.
Macleod Dixon LLP’s Richard Borden is especially respected for his energy related work and clients include UTS Energy and EarthFirst Canada. From Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP, John Wilmot specialises in lending transactions and debt restructurings in the energy sector and Kevin Fougere at Torys LLP is experienced in complex inter-creditor arrangements in the oil and gas industry. In Halifax, Charles Reagh at Stewart McKelvey is praised for his asset and equipment finance and leasing knowledge.